Cricothyroidotomy is the quickest and safest procedure to obtain an adequate airway in a patient in whom intubation has failed. Cricothyroidotomy is a relatively straightforward procedure with a high success rate in those with adequate training. In an emergency setting, this procedure is the first-line therapy. However, as an elective procedure, cricothyroidotomy is only appropriate in some cases, most notably in those without antecedent intubation or laryngeal pathology. There are a number of techniques for cannulating the airway through the cricothyroid membrane, including needle cricothyroidotomy, open surgical approach, and percutaneous dilational cricothyroidotomy.